I was recently interviewed in an article about maskne, along with some prominent dermatologists. And I thought it was time to talk about maskne here to expand on the subject.

As always, prepare to see things differently…

What is “maskne”?

From your google searches on the subject of maskne you may already have heard of what everyone is talking about: acne mechanica.

Acne mechanica is a form of skin inflammation caused by friction.

Every article on this subject recommends benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid in treating maskne — but if it is in fact, acne mechanica caused by friction, then this is BAD advice.

Adding these ingredients on already inflamed skin can actually worsen acne mechanica.

The key then is eliminating friction.

But some people are experiencing other kinds of inflammation on their skin, like dermatitis, rosacea flare-ups, and malassezia folliculitis…

In which case, are we even dealing with legit acne? No.

We have to consider 2 cases:

Case 1: You were experiencing inflammation before starting to wear masks, and you noticed the inflammation worsening after wearing masks.

In this case, it is likely that you were inflaming your skin with a clogging product or a product containing irritants, and the occlusion of the mask is simply emphasizing this irritation.

It’s important for you to take inventory of your entire routine, and get rid of the bad apples of the group. The entire routine is like a team, if one player sucks, the whole team will lose the game.

That’s right, every single product in your routine matters.

Case 2: You had healthy, clear skin without any inflammation, and you noticed increased inflammation after wearing masks.

In the second case, it is possible that you might be experiencing a tad more clogging where the mask touches your face due to friction or occlusion, or a case of malassezia folliculitis (MF) given the increased humidity…

In this case, you are likely reusing the same mask over and over again without cleaning it.

However, from people’s stories and explanations about what they’re experiencing, it was difficult to say if they were experiencing acne, MF, dermatitis, or rosacea…

So I took it to the streets…of Instagram to ask some questions and get to the bottom of this “maskne” situation.

What I Found Out On Instagram

I asked my audience if they got “maskne” while using “Olena Approved” skincare products, and 60% said NO.

So a well-formulated routine was useful in avoiding maskne…What about these 40% who thought they had maskne?

I asked them if they were reusing their masks, and 60% said YES.

Finally, I asked the people who thought they were experiencing ‘maskne’ to send me photos of their skin before and after using masks, and a list of their products…

The results were surprising! (Actually, not to me.)

Turned out, most people who claimed they had maskne on “Olena Approved” products had 1-2 pimples…

They confounded 1-2 pimples with an entire skin condition.

This is important: 1-2 pimples is NOT a skin condition.

One or two pimples once in a while can happen…for literally ANY reason under the sun.

Clogged pores can just happen. To call it acne or “maskne” is an exaggeration that doesn’t serve anyone, and contributes to the mass hysteria over this trending term.

Of the people who were breaking out, well, they weren’t using entirely “Olena Approved” products. One had actual rosehip oil in her routine.

Finally, a few people did have a mild case of MF around their mouths — so NOT acne.

You see how nuanced this is?

The situation differs from case to case depending on the context, so to give out a blanket statement like MASKS CAUSE ACNE is total nonsense.

To then give a blanket tip, like use benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid is equally nonsensical…yet is what you’ll find all over the internet.

So How Do You Get Rid Of Maskne?

How does one get rid of a skin condition that is made up? I guess by defining what we’re actually talking about.

If you can agree that your pimples are unlikely to be caused by a mask, then the real question would be, how do I prevent clogging and support my skin?

The best way to treat real acne is to lower inflammation—this can only be done with gentle care.

I would focus on gentle cleansing (product suggestions available here),  hydration using my 3-Step Moisture Method™, and wearing sunscreen every day (otherwise you’ll get a super attractive mask tan!). Here’s 10 more awesome tips to help you achieve clear skin.

Again, I don’t want to throw out “use this or use that ” since everyone’s skin is a bit different in what it prefers and each context requires a different solution. There is no universal solution, but the above suggestions come very very close to one.

What About The Actual Masks?

How do you actually wear your mask? Do you wear it with sunscreen and makeup, and then reuse the same mask over and over again?

Because that’s problematic and will lead to more clogging. Use a fresh mask every day.

Is your mask too snug, does it rub on your face? Or does it fit pretty comfortably?

Your mask needs to be cared for properly so that your skin doesn’t suffer the consequences. That means choosing a mask that fits well, but that you also replace daily.

I personally use cotton reusable masks and surgical ones as well depending on the context. I throw the reusable masks in the laundry with all the other clothes, then the dryer, then I like to iron them so that they get their shape back.

Here are the CDC’s guidelines on washing a mask.

Can You Wear Makeup With Your Mask?

You can most definitely wear sunscreen and makeup with your mask, as long as your products are formulated without irritants and oils, and you change your mask daily and cleanse well with a gentle, water-based cleanser.

I wore a mask almost all day long, every day, everywhere with sunscreen and makeup on our trip to Mallorca in the heat, with sweat, and there was no problem.

But my makeup is of course amazing! If you want to learn more about what I use watch my fave foundation video.

How Stress Contributes To Maskne

If people think they’re going to experience extra inflammation wearing masks, I think it’s important to point out that stress can worsen this effect.

Changing the story from expecting to break out to realizing that your clothing is like a mask for your body, which doesn’t affect your body negatively can help lower stress around wearing a mask.

A mask is like clothing for your face, and in the colder months it actually feels really nice!

Masks have a lot of drama around them, so by removing the drama, the stress should dissipate and so should the experience of “maskne”. 

Final Thoughts About Maskne

If your mask doesn’t fit well, it can cause friction which can lead to inflammation. The answer isn’t new products, but to find masks that fit your face comfortably.

If your mask is being reused without getting cleaned in between uses, this will lead to clogging. The answer isn’t new products, but to wear a clean mask.

If you’re doing all of the above, but you’re still experiencing regular clogging and breakouts, then consider that there is a culprit in your skincare routine — could be a badly-formulated product, or a well-formulated product used incorrectly.

But the likely reason is actually this: after the quarantine, we have gotten a bit inconsistent with our skincare routines. I’m quite certain that some of us have even started skipping our morning routines, or at least doing them later in the day.

Get back to consistent care, and you will see that things are really very simple in the end.

When skin is properly cared for, it can still get the occasional clog or pimple — it’s an organ that’s alive after all. One or two pimples is not acne, nor maskne.

I would invite you to learn more about skin instead of attributing this or that condition to it. This way you’ll be able to cultivate long term skin health and not worry about trending skin conditions. 

Finally, why are we only hearing about “maskne” now?

All the doctors and nurses who have worn masks forever would be complaining about this phenomenon if it were a real problem — well before we all had to start wearing them. Wouldn’t they?

Or Muslim women who wear hijabs or niqabs (fabric coverings) on their faces would have been complaining of this phenomenon long ago. And yet…

I really hope this article helps you feel good about wearing masks because they’re not a big deal for your face but can be a big deal for your health and safety.

Because our health is the most important thing right now.

Love,
Olena